(Greenfield) Iowa House District #23 Representative Ray Sorensen says there are a lot of “Flag Planters” on both sides of the Governor’s School Choice Bill.
In his latest newsletter, Representative Sorensen says he attended forums in Greenfield and Winterset on Saturday. He says in Greenfield, constituents were heavily against the bill, and in Winterset, they were heavily for it.
Sorensen met with Superintendents and School Board members this past week, like most public -school employees, stands against the bill.
The Republican representative says for him, the big one is affordability. Could the state, not just next year but implemented in years beyond that, afford a bill like this and continue reinvesting and even fight for a raise in public schools?
Sorensen says for him, the bill is not his favorite. Still, he thinks it might have some merit, primarily that state funds follow the student and not the institution. For families that may be stuck, this could be their ticket to a better education that was otherwise unaffordable.
Representative Sorensen says he is working on changes that might level the playing field. Amendments for clarifying opening categorical funds for hiring teachers, raising salaries, and operational sharing. He says we will see how much we can get done before and after this bill is voted on to ensure public schools have what they need to succeed.
Iowa House District #23 consists of all Adair and Madison Counties and portions of Clarke, Union, and Dallas Counties.